Hey there, future Airbnb host! Are you feeling all the emotions as you go through the process of learning about being an Airbnb host? It’s completely natural to feel a mix of excitement and nerves when venturing into the world of short-term rentals. Starting an Airbnb can be exciting but also scary! The reality is that you are likely going to feel some apprehension until you have successfully hosted a few guests. Hopefully you will also feel a lot of excitement when you think of getting started as a host! It can be a lot of fun hosting a short-term rental. It can also be good for you financially.
If you are thinking about starting an Airbnb but feel blocked by fear, you are not alone. I talk to people all the time who dream about having a short term rental – or several – but cannot get past all the ‘what ifs?’ I was in that place as well at one point. The good news is that you can overcome that fear and take real steps toward your goal of starting an Airbnb.
***QUICK NOTE! Once you are ready to set up your Airbnb Host profile, please reach out. I can provide you with a referral link that you can use. I will get some money for the referral and, best of all, you will also get some money from Airbnb for using a referral code. Win-win-win. 🙂***
Dealing with Fear of the Unknown When Starting an Airbnb
Understanding the Fear
Fear often stems from the unknown. As a new host, you’re stepping into uncharted territory, which can be scary. But remember, every expert was once a beginner. Many of the things that are intimidating to you now will seem simple once you have hosted several guests. A quote I say to myself pretty regularly from one of my favorite books – The Magic of Thinking Big – is ‘do the thing you fear and the fear disappears.’ Part of getting over your fear is to simply do the thing!
Fear of technology is something that can hold aspiring hosts back from getting started. Many people feel intimidated by the technology required to run an Airbnb. Do you know how to set up a listing? Can you do all of the tasks related to running your Airbnb from your phone? Set up scheduled messages? Create custom promotions? Adjust your pricing and fees? Once you learn the ins and outs of the app, you will be able to quickly and efficiently do everything you need right from your phone. Here’s one way to make this part of the process less scary – get help from a pro! I have a course designed to help Airbnb hosts master everything they need on the Airbnb app. Enter your email into the form below and you will be the first to get all the details for this course.
Beat Fear with Preparation
It is common to feel like the things you don’t know are holding you back from taking action. This is true in many areas of life. When it comes to starting an Airbnb, knowledge is your greatest ally. You do not need to get caught in a cycle of ‘analysis paralysis’ but there are some things you do need to learn before you get started. Start by researching the Airbnb market in your area. The most important element to research are the regulations in your area. If the area where you want to own a an Airbnb has regulations against it, then you will have to go back to the drawing board and consider other areas. It would be devastating to put all of the work and money into setting up an Airbnb only to learn later that you cannot do it because of local regulations. You can also look at successful listings in your area, learn what guests are looking for – why they visit your area, and identify your unique selling point. By preparing thoroughly, you can turn fear into confidence – or at least push the fear down long enough to take action!
Turn Your Space into a Successful Airbnb
Create a Welcoming and Guest-Friendly Environment
It is normal to have concerns about setting up your property for guests. The good news is, your space doesn’t need to be a luxury villa to be a hit on Airbnb. Focus on cleanliness, comfort, and simplicity. You do not have to overcomplicate things! Choose decor that reflects the personality of your space and adds warmth.
I have been to STRs in the past that were full of decor items – on the couches, tables, etc. These decor items were cute but they got in our way! We literally had to move multiple items out of our way to simply sit down. I don’t know about you, but I want to be able to relax and settle in as soon as I get to my rental. Too much clutter makes it difficult for guests to do that.
Picture-Perfect Listings
When you are searching for a place to stay as a guest, what do you for in a property? If you are like the vast majority of people, you focus primarily on the pictures that you see in the listing. The pictures for your listing are very important! Ideally, you will have a professional come and take pictures of your place. If you cannot get professional pictures, be sure each photo is clear and bright. Think about what the guest will want to know about your place. They will want to see the spaces they will use – living area, bedrooms, and bathrooms. If you offer any special amenities like a hot tub or pool table, be sure and include pictures of those items. You will include information about those items in the listing description but people are much more likely to notice those amenities when you provide pictures of them.
Be sure your pictures provide an accurate representation of your property! Don’t try and make it look like something it’s not – you want the guests to know what to expect. Otherwise, you risk having guests who are frustrated when they get to the property and find that it doesn’t match up with the pictures.
Connect with the Community
Learn from Others
Join Airbnb host forums and local community groups. Engaging with experienced hosts can provide invaluable insights and reassurance. Remember, they were once where you are now. You can join in on our Facebook Group I Want to Own An Airbnb!
I want to give a caveat on this advice – the majority of online FB groups for Airbnb hosts are garbage. They are full of people who want to complain, share horror stories, and badmouth Airbnb support. Are their people out there with negative experiences? Of course! Are there people out there with amazing experiences? Yes! When you join some of these groups though, you may start to believe that the only stories out there are horror stories. That’s not true. My advice is to be cautious about which groups you join. There are a few out there that are much better than others. Do not let the negativity of someone else derail you from your goals!
Guidance from Guests
Once you start hosting, actively seek feedback from your guests. This will help you refine your offering and shows guests that you care about their experience. Constructive criticism is not a setback; it’s a roadmap to improvement. In my experience, guests are happy to provide feedback when you ask. Do not harass guests for reviews or feedback. Airbnb will ask them to review you – so you do not need to send a separate message for that. You can simply include something in your check-in or check-out message that says ‘Please let us know if you encounter any issues or have suggestions to improve your experience. We love hearing from our guests!’
Embrace the Rewards
Financial Benefits
Still feeling fear around the process of starting an Airbnb? Try focusing on how it can benefit you now and in the future. Hosting on Airbnb can be financially rewarding. It’s a great way to earn extra income, pay down your property, or fund other dreams. With each booking, you’re building a business that can grow and evolve. Run the numbers. Take time to imagine a future when you own multiple properties. Can this venture provide you with a life you will love? Are the financial rewards worth the effort it will take to face your fears? For me, that answer was yes.
Personal Growth
Running an Airbnb can be a deeply fulfilling experience. It hones skills like communication, hospitality, and business management. Plus, the joy of interacting with people from different walks of life and earning their appreciation is a great feeling. I was surprised about how much I enjoy the hospitality element of running an Airbnb. I love the process of thinking about what my guests will want and how to make the house comfortable for them. It is fun to imagine how a family will use the property and furnish it accordingly. My husband enjoys actually interacting with the guests when needed – if he goes over there to address an issue he typically leaves with some new friends. You may learn something about yourself through this process. Who knows where it could lead? Looking at this process as an adventure and opportunity for self-discovery can help you push past any lingering fears.
Flexibility and Freedom
Unlike many traditional businesses, short-term rental hosting offers flexibility. You control when your space is available and can balance it with your personal life. This freedom is one of the biggest draws of short-term rentals. When I started my first short-term rental, part of my motivation was the fact that I wasn’t ready to let go of my house – either by selling it or renting it out long-term. Choosing the short-term rental model provided me with the best of both worlds.
Leap with Confidence
Remember, it’s okay to feel a bit afraid when starting something new. What’s important is not letting fear hold you back. With each step you take, you’ll grow more confident and skilled. If you have been dreaming about having your own short term rental, maybe it’s time to take that leap! Check out the video below for some inspiration and insight into our journey of becoming short-term rental hosts.
You’ve got this, future Airbnb superstar! Ready to start your Airbnb journey? Don’t hesitate to reach out for personalized advice and tips tailored to your unique situation. Let’s turn your property into a success story together!